Michelle Obama's fashion splash

Arts and Culture

Michelle Obama's fashion splash

It doesn't matter whether it's sleeveless or black and simple, Michelle Obama's outfits are always a topic of discussion. Follow photos of the First Lady's sense of style.

If the world had not noticed Michelle Obama's style before, it paid attention one night in June when her husband captured the Democratic presidential nomination. She slipped onto the national stage in a purple sheath dress by Maria Pinto, the ubiquitous Azzedine Alaia belt and a thick strand of pearls. In flowed the comparisons to Jackie Kennedy, launching a whirlwind ride in style:

During her visit to the White House in November (only days after her husband's election victory), Michelle Obama definitely signaled a change with this powerful red dress.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House on Inauguration Day. If they are cold, they don't show it, maybe because the sparkling yellow-gold sheath dress, by Cuban-born American designer Isabel Toledo, had a matching coat.

Designer Jason Wu, 26, got a boost when Obama wore his single-shoulder gown to the inaugural balls. He later earned an emerging designer nomination from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

When the first lady attended her husband's address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the Capitol with a sleeveless dress during winter, D.C's talk centered around those "bare arms."

During a February State Dinner, Michelle donned a dark glittery grey/purple Peter Sorensen gown from his Fall 2008 collection, paired with a heavy crystal and pearl necklace by Tom Binns. The first lady also wore her hair in a sleek up-do.

For her White House portrait, seen here, the first lady picked a double strand of pearls and a Michael Kors shift dress. It is officially "classic Michelle."

While breaking ground for the White House vegetable garden, speculation about whether Obama's black biker boots are Jimmy Choo threatened to steal the spotlight.

Obama's G-20 couture, heavy on Azzedine Alaia, including this double-breasted black jacket with leather detailing at the seams, and up-and-coming American designers, won mostly positive reviews from Europeans and sets off a designer duel when critical comments from Oscar de la Renta were picked up in the press. Score another point for Obama when the designer later apologized on girlie gabfest "The View."

Obama met up with another fashionable first lady, France's Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

During the summit she wore an Azzedine Alaia studded belt with this outfit - an oversized white bow blouse by Moschino, worn with a black pencil skirt by Michael Kors and a black cardigan - during her walk with Livia Klausova, wife of Czech President Vaclav Klaus, to St. Vitu's Cathedral.

Later in the day, Obama and Michelle held hands as they arrived at the Kurhaus in Baden-Baden, Germany for a piano concert and a dinner with NATO members, prior to the meetings.

"I love the fact that she is able to take very practical, everyday pieces from what most people would consider everyday places and mix it with high-end fashion. I was like, 'Finally somebody gets it,' said Tamara Kimble, vice president of marketing and external affairs for the Dawson Company. "The fact that she has chosen to mix her fashion humanizes her." The first lady wore J. Crew in London.

Interest in any social agenda the First Lady has revealed to date has been wrapped so tightly in talk of cashmere sweaters, sleeveless sheaths, and Jimmy Choo shoes (including these green "Glacier" pumps) that it is almost beyond recognition. Sarah Brown, the wife of Britain's prime minister, stands beside her.

And perhaps the biggest question on everyone's mind: what Michelle would wear to meet the Queen and Prince Phillip? Answer: An Isabel Toledo dress and a Jason Wu Coat.

"While she has a nice, clean look that is modern, there is a balance that is needed to dress more appropriately for certain occasions," said Michele Aquino, former vice president and general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue Atlanta, commenting on clothing Obama chose for the European tour. Would Aquino have approved of Obama's choice for a dinner at No. 10 Downing Street?

The second Vogue cover to feature a First Lady belongs to Obama, who also managed to become the first person to share the magazine cover of a certain other Ms. O (as in Winfrey).

"People just can't help themselves," said local philanthropist and former boutique owner Ginny Brewer. "She is a young, attractive woman and the first African-American First Lady we've ever had, so everyone is paying attention [to her style]. They paid attention somewhat in the past, but maybe the First Ladies' looks have been more predictable and narrow.

"Michelle is not afraid to take a chance," Ginny Brewer said. Where other First Ladies may have wavered under public scrutiny (Hillary and the hair), Obama soldiers on, sticking to her own path - a First Lady of Fashion for sure.

1/19

If the world had not noticed Michelle Obama's style before, it paid attention one night in June when her husband captured the Democratic presidential nomination. She slipped onto the national stage in a purple sheath dress by Maria Pinto, the ubiquitous Azzedine Alaia belt and a thick strand of pearls. In flowed the comparisons to Jackie Kennedy, launching a whirlwind ride in style:

Today's Gallery Headlines

Game 2 of Atlanta Braves vs Kansas City Royals

PHOTOS: Braves go to 2-0 after walk-off grand slam

Sen. Jon Ossoff speaks during Georgia Service Academy Day at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta on Saturday, March 28, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Deepening impasse over DHS funding was plain to see at Dobbins Air Reserve Base hangar

No Kings rally and march in downtown Atlanta

PHOTOS: No Kings rally and march in downtown Atlanta

Atlanta Braves season opener against the Kansas City Royals

PHOTOS: Braves win home opener at Truist Park